There are 12 EWS buildings in the locality which were built by developers for those who lost their land/ homes in the road widening work in various parts of the city.

Vacant EWS building on Nagras road, Aundh, has become a garbage dump yard.(HT Photo)

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) building, adjacent to Supriya Towers and Kumar Padmalaya on Nagras road in Aundh, has practically become a hang out spot for gamblers and drunkards, according to residents. If this was not enough, the unwanted garbage collected by SWaCH has been dumped in the premises of this empty building, complained residents.

There are 12 EWS buildings in the locality which were built by developers for those who lost their land/ homes in the road widening work in various parts of the city. Out of these 12, the worst affected is the one next to Supriya Towers which has been reeking with stench of rotting garbage. Garbage has piled across the corridors of the empty rooms and the entrance of the building.

“This building is four floors and has been lying vacant for more than 10 years. Every time we have complained or even brought it up in the Mohalla committee during meetingsm, nobody paid heed to it,” said Rupesh Junawane,resident of Supriya Towers.

“We have constantly written, called the PMC sanitation department andeven the ward officer, but they have not paid any heed to our calls,” said Ashok Pathak, resident of Kumar Padmalaya. The resident bodies like West Aundh Welfare Association (WAWA) and Aundh Vikas Mandal (AVM) have found out that these EWS buildings are rented out by those to whom they were allotted them and they have returned back to slums. “What is the point of building and allocating these homes when it has no value to the owners,” said Pathak.

“We have heard of fights and heard loud noises during the day and on dry days, this building is reeking of alcohol,” said Ashok Mhatre, resident of Kumar Padmalaya.

After several attempts to attract the attention of the PMC officials, the residents earlier got the entrance covered with tin sheet, but was later removed. Later in 2016, the corporators built a retaining wall but left the gate open which has now become a nuisance.

Sandeep Kadam, ward officer, Aundh, when contacted, said, “I am aware of the situation and will get to the bottom of it.” Similarly, the residents have been trying to call the police every time a fight breaks out in the empty building, but they were often informed that it does not fall in their jurisdiction.